A combination is a series of moves that accomplish a well-defined goal and provide a tangible benefit. Generally speaking, a combination will win material or provide a significant positional advantage.
Questions tagged [combinations]
12 questions
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What is the origin of this breakthrough combination?
If you've spent enough time in the world of chess, it's not unlikely that you've come across the following position, with white to move and win, or an essentially identical one. You'll see plenty of hits for it, for instance, if you google: chess…
ETD
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Which piece combinations can mate a lone king without being aided by the attacking king?
Clearly not a practical question since the king can and should be used in the endgame, but I was curious if anyone has done a comprehensive analysis of which combinations of pieces (including some unrealistic combinations) can force a checkmate…
itub
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What length of time should one spend looking for a combination, and what factors should one consider?
Taking time control into account, how long should one take when looking for a combination? Also, what factors should one consider when looking for a combination?
xaisoft
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Did Reinfeld make a mistake?
One of the illustrative games featured in Fred Reinfeld's The Complete Chessplayer is a game between A. Muffang - P. Devos, France-Belgium 1948:
[FEN ""]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. a3 Be7 8. Qe2 b5
9. Ba2 Bb7…
Daniel
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Difference between tactic and combination?
What is the difference between a Tactic and a Combination? For reference, here is a game I played as white and I think I had a nice combination from move 16, but I am not sure if it is classified as a combination or tactics. This what my thought…
xaisoft
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Should I play a risky combination when I don't see the refutation?
I've read in a book that one should play a line if (s)he thinks it is decisive and let the opponent proves that (s)he is wrong.
But what about playing a (risky, by risky, I mean that I am not sure) combination when I don't see the refutation?
The…
antoyo
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What are the possibilities for checkmating with two bishops here?
Consider the following position:
What are the possibilities for checkmating the white king within 16 moves?
BlueBerry - Vignesh4303
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How can I learn combinations without a chess book?
I would like to become better and stronger at spotting combinations. I can't buy any chess books at the moment. What's a good website for learning combinations?
user122965
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Which is better, going for checkmate, or forcing immediate resignation?
Let's say you have a position where you can win the opponent's queen in one move and you know he will resign; or you play a combination that is technically stronger since it forces mate, but it takes 8 moves, some of which are hard to see, so you do…
PhishMaster
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Did black misplay here or did I miss something?
I'm getting back into chess after a hiatus of 8+ years, so I'm a bit rusty. This position is from a game I just played online.
I'm white and it's my move. I threaten black's rook and knight with Qd5, and this is how it played out. I'm amazed it…
Cliff
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How to develop tactical and combinational awareness?
Most of my learning comes from trial-and-error sort of self-teaching. I cannot say I am completely blind to tactics and combinations, but, while solving puzzles (approx. ~1600+) I tend to miss something critical within the time allotted. Though a…
Vivekanand P V
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What is the maximum number of possible moves a player can choose from?
Let's say you arrange a position that gives a player the maximum number of choices among possible moves. How does that position look like and how many possible moves are in that position?
Christopher Masser
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